enjoyed waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enjoyed waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a positive sentiment about the experience of waiting for something or someone. Example: "Despite the long delay, I actually enjoyed waiting because it gave me time to reflect and relax."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He nearly always went with them & he enjoyed waiting for them in the saloon.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Few of us enjoy waiting, but much of life requires it -- waiting for a job, food, medical test results, the birth of a child.

The New York Times

None of us enjoys waiting in lines, but I'm sure that we're all willing to wait just a bit longer if it allows 79-year-olds to maintain some level of dignity.

The Economist

At one booth, Brian Traudt explained his company's innovation, which could improve the fan experience at stadiums, unless some people actually enjoy waiting in line for three innings for a cheeseburger.

The New York Times

As one of them said to me, "When somebody asks you what your business produces, do you say, 'Land mines that blow up Bosnian children,' or do you say, 'Traditional shotguns for people who enjoy waiting at dawn in a wetland for the ducks to come'?" It's impossible to know how many birds are shot in Italy.

The New Yorker

In a frenetic city where time is perhaps the most precious commodity, it might appear odd that people who paid good money for a night out -- the cheapest tickets cost $50 -- could enjoy waiting around seemingly indefinitely for an event to begin.

The New York Times

But if you do it gracefully...I've learned to enjoy waiting.

Vice

About once a month, it hosts Swagger Like Us, a queer hip-hop party that you should buy tickets to in advance unless you enjoy waiting for half an hour in line.

Vice

Customers need to think you are enjoying waiting on them.

WikiHow

And, now that he was back, he was glad not to be travelling, glad that he could just sit here where he had sat for years, looking out the window at the large green leaves and enjoying them, waiting for them to fall so that he could see the church behind them and be glad to think that they would soon be growing again.

The New Yorker

That's an interaction that one generally doesn't enjoy when waiting in long lines for an MLB star to sign an autograph — or from traditional digital autograph vendors.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: this phrase is most effective when the waiting period is typically perceived as unpleasant or tedious, making the enjoyment a notable exception.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "enjoyed waiting" can sound too casual or whimsical for formal writing. In professional or academic settings, consider alternatives like "found value in the delay" or "appreciated the pause" to maintain a more serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enjoyed waiting" functions as a verb phrase, where "enjoyed" is the main verb in the past tense, and "waiting" is a gerund acting as the object of the verb. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

12%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "enjoyed waiting" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that communicates a positive sentiment towards a period of anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, while analysis reveals that it is most frequently used in News & Media contexts. While not exceedingly common, the phrase effectively conveys a sense of contentment or unexpected pleasure found during what is typically perceived as a tedious experience. However, in formal settings, alternatives such as "found value in the delay" might be more appropriate. Overall, "enjoyed waiting" offers a unique way to express a positive reframing of a potentially negative situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

found pleasure in waiting

Replaces "enjoyed" with "found pleasure in", emphasizing the discovery of enjoyment.

took delight in waiting

Uses "took delight in" as a more emphatic way to express enjoyment.

savored the wait

Emphasizes a deliberate and appreciative enjoyment of the waiting period.

appreciated the pause

Shifts focus to appreciating the break or interval that waiting provides.

relished the anticipation

Highlights the enjoyment derived from looking forward to something.

made the most of waiting

Suggests actively using the waiting time in a positive or productive way.

embraced the waiting period

Implies accepting and finding value in the time spent waiting.

found value in the delay

Focuses on discovering a positive outcome or benefit from the delay.

was content to wait

Indicates a state of satisfaction or peacefulness while waiting.

didn't mind waiting

Expresses a lack of displeasure or opposition to waiting.

FAQs

How can I use "enjoyed waiting" in a sentence?

You can use "enjoyed waiting" to describe a situation where you found pleasure or benefit during a period of anticipation. For example, "Despite the long line, I actually "enjoyed waiting" because it gave me time to read."

What are some alternatives to "enjoyed waiting"?

Alternatives include phrases like "found pleasure in waiting", "took delight in waiting", or "savored the wait", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "enjoyed waiting" grammatically correct?

Yes, ""enjoyed waiting"" is grammatically correct. "Enjoyed" is the past tense of the verb "enjoy", and "waiting" is a gerund acting as the object of the verb.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "enjoyed waiting"?

It's appropriate when you want to express that you derived some form of satisfaction, benefit, or unexpected pleasure from a waiting period. It suggests a positive mindset or a silver lining found in what is typically an unwanted delay.